Center ledge scoop for separable fasteners



July 9, 1957 L. H. MORIN CENTER LEDGE SCOOP FOR SEPARABLE FASTENERS Filed Aug. 50, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTVOR.

loans H jioiun v y 9, 1957 L. H. MORIN 2,798,274

, CENTER LEDGE SCOOP FOR SEPARABLE FASTENERS Filed Aug. 30. 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR LO U ls H. MORIN A'i'ToRNE:

2,798,274 Patented July 9, 1957 ice ' CENTER LEDGE SCOOP FOR SEPARABLE FASTENERS Louis H. Morin, Bronx, N. Y. Application August 30, 1952, Serial No. 307,279 10 Claims. (Cl. 24--205.13)

The invention relates to separable fasteners of the kind employing stringers having scoops adapted to be coupled and uncoupled in operation of the fastener. More particularly, the invention deals with what I term a center ledge scoop providing, inthe resulting coupling end portion, of the scoops, a coupling engagement between scoops of opposed stringers, which'will facilitate coupling engagement and, further, which will resist forcible mismeshing of the scoops. Still more particularly, the invention deals with a scoop structure which lends itself to formation by dies, as a die cast or injection moulded product, wherein the dies can be formed by the powder metallurgy process, thus simplifying the cost of die production and ultimately the production of the separable fasteners.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which: i

Fig. 1 is an enlarged side view of a part of two stringers showing coupling engagement between two scoops of one stringer and'one scoop of the other stringer, with part of the construction broken away and in section.

Fig. 2 is a side View of the opposed surface of one scoop of each stringer showing the coupling engagement therebetween, the View being the side opposite to that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

A. Fig. 4 is a section substantially on the line 4-4 of' Fig. 1 showing a single scoop and indicating in dot-dash lines relationship of a companion scoop therewith.

Fig. 5 is a view, on a reduced scale, along line 3-3 of Fig. 1 but showing the scoops of the fastener in abruptly folded position with the fold line extending transversely of the coupled stringers; for purposes of description, the fold line may be visualized as bisecting the scoop 11' of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view'of a scoop detached and diagrammatically showing the structural parts of the scoop in a modified manner with respect to the scoops shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a few of the scoops as shown in Fig. 6 in coupled relationship.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, I have shown at 10, 10' part of the beaded edge of a pair of stringers, to which are attached scoops 11, 11' at'spaced intervals along the beads, as with other devices of this kind. As each of the scoops 11, 11' are of the same construction, the brief description of one will apply to both and common reference characters will be primed on the scoop 11', as and where necessary.

Each scoop comprises a mounting end portion 12 which is fixed to the bead 10 and a coupling end portion, generally identified by the reference character 13. This coupling end portion has an outer head end 14, which may coupled stringers may be said to be of diamond form and inwardly of the head end is a reduced or neck portion 15, having recesses 16 on upper and lower surfaces thereof, as viewed in the drawing. It will thus appear that the head 14 of the scoops of an opposed stringer fit in the recesses 16 of what can be termed the female coupling portion of the coupling end 13, the heads 14 forming the male coupling portions. The engagement referred to above couples the scoops of opposed stringers against pull-apart separation.

Considering Fig. 3 of the drawing, it will appear that the head 14 of the scoop 11 is solid at the left side, or front side as viewed in Fig. 1, whereas the right or rear side has a vertical recess 17, centrally of which is an outwardly projecting ledge or brace or rib 18. The ledge or rib 18 forms, within the recess 17, upper and lower sockets or supplemental female coupling portions 19. An elongated rib or shelf or male coupling part 20 is disposed in one side of the female coupling portion 15, as is clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and the projecting ends of this shelf are designated 20a. The base of the recess 17, or the socket portions 19 thereof, is formed by the wall 21 which, as viewed in Fig. 3, extends centrally and vertically of the head 14. In Fig. 4, it will appear that this wall 21 (shown by a dot and dash line which is extended beyond the boundaries of the wall) is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal side edges of the scoop. The longitudinal line 21a of the scoop, which line divides the scoop into longitudinal halves and which corresponds to the parting line of the mating dies for forming the scoop, is in the same plane as the wall 21 and is represented by the same dot and dash line. This construction is to provide clearances between scoops which will facilitate their coupling and uncoupling engagement. The corresponding center line 21a of scoop 11' is shown in its opposed relationship to scoop 11.

Now considering Fig. 2 of the drawing, it will be apparent that the side surface 22 of the socket 19 of scoop 11 abuts the complementary surface 22' of socket19' of scoop 11'. Stated another way, the surface 22 of scoop 11 comprises an outwardly facing surface on each extension 20a and this surface is engageable with the complementary surface 22' of extension 20'a of scoop 11. This engagement is an aid in enabling the stringers to resist what is generally called tenting, which refers to the movement which the scoops of a stringer of a pair of undergo about an axis passing through the coupling end portion of each coupled scoop; this axis is parallel to both tape beads and is disposed between them. In other words, in tenting, the scoops ofone stringer tend to pivot, at their coupling end portions, relatively to the scoops of the other'of a pair of coupled stringers. In Fig. 2, the abutting extensions 20a, 20'a fit in the sockets 19', 19, respectively, to provide an interlock against transverse separation of the stringers and also to further enable the scoops to resist tenting. It may be noted that the extension 20a and the socket 19' have flat engaging walls, by virtue of which the stringers are resistant against forcible mismeshing. In socket 19', this flat wall is shown at 21', while on extension 20a the flat wall is shown at 26, note Fig. l. Similarly, extension 20a and socket 19 have flat engaging walls. Resistance against tenting is also aided by the provision of these flat walls.

In this connection, it will also appear from a consideration of Fig. 5 that sharp bending of coupled stringers is facilitated without danger of mismeshing. The ribs or shelves 20 of scoops 11' maintain a constant engagement with the walls 21 of scoops 11. It is to be noted that even with a severe bending or fold-over of the stringers as shown in Fig. 5, there is still a considerable overlap between the interengaging surfaces of shelves 20 and walls 21. It will also be noted that the ledges or braces 18 are tapered outwardly to provide clearance for the shelves It will, of course, be apparent that a corresponding coupling engagement is established between the shelves 20 of the scoop 11 with the recessed portion 17 of the scoops 11.

By reason of the angular center line 21a of the scoop, as noted in Fig. 4, it is desirable to form one longitudinal side of the scoop with an extended rear surface 23 so that, in operation of the slider, part of which is shown at 24 in Fig. 4, the inturned flanges of the slider walls will have a substantially balanced bearing on the scoops, thus maintaining upper and lower walls of the slider substantially parallel to the corresponding surfaces of the scoops. I a 1 It will be apparent from the illustrations, particularly Figs. 3 and 5, that the various surfaces of the scoops are tapered outwardly to opposed sides. These tapers facilitate coupling engagement, as well as flexure of the stringers, and it will also appear from Fig. 4 that the outer end face of the coupling head 14 is tapered to one side. These various tapers are diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. l.

By reason of the contour and construction of the scoops, it is possible to cast them using powder pressed metal dies, that is, dies formed from powdered metal by a pressing and sintering technique. As may be appreciated, dies for producing scoops are used in large quantities and they tend to wear out fairly quickly such that a source of cheapdies becomes an important economic factor. Not only must the dies be cheap but they must be accurate as well. Cheap, accurate dies can be produced by the technique of powder metallurgy. Other known methods cannot produce dies as cheaply as by pressing them from powdered metal. In order to make use of powder-. pressed dies, however, care must be taken in the design and construction of the scoops to eliminate certain factors. Thus, no undercuts can be present. The surfaces of the scoops must be balanced, that is, severely angular surfaces must be avoided. In addition, no cores may be used. For production reasons it is preferred to employ dies having multiple scoop cavities, say up to 16 cavities or more, and it is impractical to withdraw long cores from so many scoops which are formed in such dies. The scoop design and construction providedv by this invention avoid the foregoing factors and enable powder-pressed dies to be employed to make the scoops.

Stringers having these scoops exhibit exceptionally good strength characteristics and are further characterized by their ease of joining. V

Broadly speaking, and for purposes of description, the scoop 11, or rather the coupling end portion 13, may be said to be divided transversely thereof into an enlarged head end inwardly of which is a neck portion which joins the head end with the mounting end of the scoop. The head end. has a recessed side and a side which may be said to form a male coupling part of the scoop. The neck portion has a side which may be said to form a female coupling part, and a side, disposed behind the recessed side of the head end, which has an elongated rib, which rib forms one wall of the recess in the head end.

Considering the invention further from a descriptive standpoint, and in more detail, the scoop 11 may be seen to comprise dissimilar longitudinal halves. When viewed in plan, the scoop may be visualized as having a central vertical plane which divides it into the said halves and which extends angularly with respect to the plane of the tape. This plane would pass through line 21a of Fig. 4, and would, as is evident, extend angularly with respect to a plane passing through line 21a of the opposed scoop. From the latter figure it will be seen that the halves are of unequal lengths. The coupling end portion of one longitudinal scoop half comprises alined projections on 4 upper and lower sides of the scoop inwardly of which are alined recesses. These projections are engageable with the adjacent recesses of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to provide an interlock against pull-apart separation of the stringers, as indicated above. The coupling end portion of the other longitudinal scoop half comprises a first vertically extending 'shelf or wall portion 27, note Fig. 4, at the outer or nose end of the coupling end portion. Spaced inwardly of shelf 27 is a second vertically extending shelf 20 which is in transverse alinement with at least a portion of the alined recesses of the first-mentioned longitudinal scoop half. The shelf 20 has extensions 20a projecting above and below the said alined recesses, as may be seen by viewing the scoop from the side as in Figs. 1 or 2. Brace 18 connects the shelves 20 and 27 and divides the space between them into upper and lower sockets 19, the latter serving as receiving sections or chambers for receiving adjacent extensions or projections 20a of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops, thereby providing an'interlock against transverse separation ,of the stringers. Inwardly of the shelf 20 on the said other longitudinal scoop half are upper and lower alined grooves 28, 29, note Figs. 6 and 7, and these grooves are in transverse alinement with another portion of the alined recesses of the first longitudinal scoop half. The grooves serve to receive the shelves 27 of adjacent opposed scoops, as shown in part in Fig. 7 of the drawing.

In Figs. 6' and 7, the scoop structure of Figs. 1 to 5 is shown in what could be termed a diagrammatic fashion for the purpose of simplification. The structural elements, generally speaking, are all the same; in Figs. 6 and 7 less rounding of the scoop edges is shown than in Figs. 1 to 5. Figs. 6 and 7 show in detail the side of the scoops opposite that seen in Fig. 1, and clearly illustrate the coupling engagement between scoops of opposed stringers.

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Serial No. 248,477, filed September 27, 1951.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers of the character described, each stringer comprising an elongated tape having scoops spaced longitudinally of one edge portion thereof, each scoop having an upper side facing the fastener-closing direction and a lower side facing the fastener-opening direction, each scoop having a coupling end extending outwardly of the tape edge, the coupling end being divided by a longitudinally extending plane into two longitudinal side portions one side portion of each scoop having male and female coupling portions, the other side portion of the scoop having upper and lower recesses inwardly of which are upper and lower projections, the projections of the scoops of one stringer being adapted to enter the recesses in the scoops of an opposed stringer in coupling said stringers together, and outer surfaces of'the projections of the scoops of one stringer engaging corresponding surfaces of the projections of the scoops of an opposed stringer when a pair of stringers are coupled together. i

2. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers each having scoops spaced along one edge of the-same, each scoop having a mounting end portion and a coupling end portion, the improvement wherein each scoop when viewed in plan comprises dissimilar, longitudinal halves, the coupling end portion of one longitudinal scoop half comprising alined projections on upper and lower sides of the scoop inwardly of which are alined recesses, said projections being engageable with the adjacent recesses of a pair of adjacent opposed scoopsto Provide an interlock against pull-apart separation of the stringers, the coupling end portion of the other longitudinal scoop half comprising a first shelf at the outer or noise end of the latter coupling end portion, a second shelf inwardly spaced from said first shelf and in transverse alinement with at least a portion of said alined'recesses, said second shelf having extensions projecting above and below said recesses on said upper and lower scoop sides, respectively, a brace connecting said shelves and dividing the space between the shelves into upper and lower receiving sections or chambers, said sections receiving the adjacent extensions of the said second shelves of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops, thereby to provide an interlock against transverse separation of the stringers, and upper and lower alined grooves disposed inwardly of said second shelf and in transverse alinement with another portion of said alined recesses, said grooves serving to receive the said first shelves of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops.

3. In separable fastener stringers comprising a pair of tapes each having scoops spaced along one edge of the same, each scoop having an upper side facing the fastenerclosing direction and a lower side facing the fasteneropening direction, each scoop having a coupling end portion extending outwardly from said tape, the improvement wherein each scoop comprises dissimilar longitudinal halves, said scoop when viewed in plan being divided into said halves by a plane which extends angularly with respect to the plane of the tape, the coupling end portion of one longitudinal scoop half comprising projections on upper and lower sides of the scoop inwardly of which are recesses, said projections being engageable with the adjacent recesses of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to provide an interlock against pull-apart separation of the stringers, the coupling end portion of the other longitudinal scoop half comprising a shelf in transverse alinement with at least a portion of said recesses, said shelf having extensions projecting above and below said recesses on said upper and lower scoop sides, respectively, a receiving section outwardly of each said extension for receiving the adjacent extensions of the shelves of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops, thereby to provide an interlock against transverse separation of the stringers, said extensions and receiving sections having flat engaging walls to aid in resisting forcible mismeshing and tenting of the stringers, said engaging walls lying in said scoop-dividing plane, and said extensions also having outwardly facing surfaces that are engageable with corresponding surfaces of the extensions of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to further aid in resisting tenting of the stringers.

4. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers each having scoops spaced along one edge of the same, the improvement wherein each scoop comprises dissimilar longitudinal halves, the coupling end portion of one longitudinal scoop half comprising projections on upper and lower sides of the scoop inwardly of which are recesses, said projections being engageable with the adjacent recesses of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to provide an interlock against pull apart separation of the stringers, the coupling end portion of the other longitudinal scoop half comprising a first shelf at the outer end of the latter coupling end portion, a second shelf inwardly spaced from said first shelf and in transverse alinement with at least a portion of said recesses, said second shelf having extensions projecting above and below said recesses on said upper and lower scoop sides, respectively, a chamber outwardly of each extension for receiving the adjacent extensions of the said second shelves of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops, thereby to provide an interlock against transverse separation of the stringers, and upper and lower grooves disposed inwardly of said second shelf and in transverse alinement with another portion of said recesses, said grooves serving to receive the said first shelves of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops.

5. A separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers, each stringer comprising a tape having scoops spaced longitudinally of one edge portion thereof, said scoops each having a mounting end portion on the tape and a coupling end portion extending outwardly of the tape edge, the coupling end portion having an enlarged head end forming a male coupling portion, a neck portion joining the head end with the mounting end portion of the scoop, said neck portion forming a female coupling portion, one side portion of the scoop at said head end having a recess in which a center ledge is disposed, said one side portion also having, inwardly of said recess, an elongated male coupling part, a wall portion on the coupling end portion disposed outwardly of said recess and, together with said elongated male coupling part, helping to define said recess, said center ledge connecting the wall portion to the elongated male coupling part, and said elongated male coupling parts of the scoops of one stringer being adapted to extend into the recesses of adjacent scoops of an opposed stringer to couple said stringers together.

6. The separable fastener of claim 5 wherein said recess and elongated male coupling part of each scoop of one stringer have engaging surfaces that lie in the same plane, said plane being disposed angularly with respect to the corresponding plane of a scoop on the other stringer with which said scoop of said one stringer is coupled together.

7. A scoop for separable fasteners of the character described, said scoop having an upper side facing the fastener-closing direction and a lower side facing the fastener-opening direction, said scoop also having a pair of oppositely disposed side surfaces that bound the scoop laterally, said scoop comprising an inner mounting end portion and an outer coupling end portion, the coupling end portion being divided by a longitudinally extending plane into two longitudinal side portions, one side portion having an outer male coupling portion inwardly of which is a neck forming a female coupling portion of the scoop, the other side portion having upper and lower projections extending therefrom, said other side portion also having a recess partially formed by said projections, a center ledge extending from said male coupling portion into said recess and dividing the recess into upper and lower sockets, said longitudinal plane being disposed angularly to said side surfaces of the scoop, and said sockets and projections having surfaces that lie in said plane.

8. The scoop of claim 7 wherein said mounting end portion has a pair of spaced, inwardly extending end portions that are longitudinally offset one with respect to the other.

9. A separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers of the character described, each stringer comprising an elongated tape having scoops spaced longitudinally thereof, one edge portion of each scoop having an upper side facing the fastener-closing direction and a lower side facing the fastener-opening direction, each scoop having a coupling end portion extending outwardly of the tape edge, said coupling end portion being divided by a longitudinally extending plane into two side portions, one side portion of a scoop having male and female coupling portions, the other side portion having upper and lower recesses inwardly of which are upper and lower projections, the projections of the scoops of one stringer being adapted to enter the recesses in the scoops of an opposed stringer in coupling said stringers together, outer surfaces of the projections of the scoops of one stringer engaging corresponding surfaces of the projections of the scoops of an opposed stringer when a pair of stringers are coupled together, said longitudinal plane of one scoop being disposed angularly to that of an opposed scoop with which said one scoop is coupled together, and said recesses and projections having surfaces that lie in said plane.

10. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers each having scoops spaced along one edge of the same, each scoop having an upper side facing the fastener-closing direction and a lower side facing the fastener-opening direction, each scoop having an inner mounting end portion and an outer coupling end portion, the improvement wherein each scoop comprises dissimilar longitudinal halves; the coupling end portion of one longitudinal scoop half comprising projections on upper and H mam Iower sides thereof inwardly of which are recesses, said projections beingengageable with the adjacent recesses of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to provide an interlock against pull-apart separation of the stringers; the coupling end portion of the other longitudinal scoop half comprising an elongated part terminating in upper and lower end projections, each said end projection having an engaging face, a recess outwardly of said elongated part, said recess being defined in part by upper and lower engaging surfaces, said surfaces being engageable with said faces on adjacent end projections of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops, each said surface being angularly disposed relatively to the said engageable face on the end projection of an opposed scoop whereby the coupling and uncoupling engagement of the stringers is facilitated),

References :C ited'i n the file of this patent: UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,355,996 Morin" t Aug. 15, 1944 2,385,020 Morin Sept. 18, 1945 2,495,033, Sullivan Jan. 17, 1950 2,526,600 B01ten'l Oct. 17, 1950 2,563,767

Winterhalter Aug. 7, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,798,274 July 9, 1957 Louis H. Morin It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 6, lines 46 and 47, claim 9, for "elongated tape having scoops spaced longitudinally thereof, one edge portion of each scoop having an upper side read elongated tape having scoops spaced longitudinally of one edge portion thereof, each scoop having an upper sideg- Signed and sealed this 29th day of October 1957.

( L) Attest:

KARL H. AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Officer Coumissioner of Patents 

